The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions.
Yes, you are reading that right. For the second time in eight years the Eagles are bringing the Lombardi trophy back to South Philly.
The Eagles not only won last night they won in dominant fashion. Powered by the number one defense in the NFL the Birds were all over Patrick Mahomes right from the first snap. Making him uncomfortable and preventing him from going through his progressions they stopped him from being Mahomes. The Eagles defense accounted for 16 QB pressures and 6 (!) sacks without dialing up a single blitz. Vic Fangio looked like the Zack Galifinakis Hangover GIF out Spagsing Spags. They laughed in the face of the three peat.
The Eagles defensive line put on a masterclass of destruction. It looked like when Julius Campbell and Gary Bertier wreaked havoc in the Northern Virginia regional championship game. Even Bertier’s mama could have recorded a sack against that Chiefs O-Line last night. After the two weeks of build up this outcome was something no Eagles or Chiefs fan could have imagined. When I was asked my thoughts about the game by my family and friends I honestly felt pretty confident the Eagles would be victorious mainly because of this Eagles defense. 3 years ago in Super Bowl 57 the Eagles relied heavily on the pass rush of Josh Sweat, Hasan Reddick and Javon Hargrave. They had good cornerback play from Slay and James Bradberry, both aging players playing an athletic position. But that was really it. This year’s defense was ranked number one in most defensive categories and was great at every level. Safety, Linebacker (especially), and the D-Line. Zack Baun’s interception of Mahomes in the first half looked like he was playing shortstop and made a diving catch to save an RBI. Again, they again sacked Mahomes six times without ever drawing up a blitz and were holding a shut out well into the third quarter. What’s that old saying? Oh yea, Defense wins championships.
Let’s not forget about the offense. I think if you asked Chiefs fans leading up to the game and told them that the Chiefs D would contain Saquon and prevent his explosive home run type runs from happening I think they would have said ‘Where do we sign?’ Well they did do that. That meant Jalen Hurts had to take control and be great. He did and was. In Philadelphia the Eagles quarterback is more important than the mayor of the city, the pope, and Jesus Christ himself. He is the face of the city. After a couple of years of scrutiny and over analysis Jalen Hurts stepped up in the two biggest games of the entire year when he needed to the most and balled out (cough,cough kind of like the guy he just beat is known to do). In the press conferences leading up to the game there was a quiet confidence from Hurts. As if he was telling everyone you guys have know idea what’s coming. It’s like he knew the game was won before anyone else did. He played the game the Eagles needed him to play. The moment was and is never too big for him. Truly. The dude is a damn cyborg. He handled the Chiefs blitzes and used his ability to run when he needed to. Aside from the interception he threw..his lone turnover..He threw a great back shoulder throw as well as a touchdown to AJ Brown. He also threw a pass to Davonta Smith that was more beautiful than Jennifer Lopez. Which turned out to be the Mortal Kombat fatality that killed any chance of a Chiefs comeback.
After their Super Bowl 52 victory in 2018 the Eagles were facing a bit of QB controversy. Whether or not to stick with Carson Wentz who they had just drafted number 2 overall in 2016 or stay with the hot hand in Nick Foles who had just one the franchises first championship. This time there is no debate. The Eagles have their guy. Number 1. He went toe to toe with the mighty Mahomes and came out victorious. It’s time the league starts respecting him.
Last night was an ass kicking in its purest form, an ass kicking that no one saw coming, and an ass kicking I still can’t comprehend. After the Davonta Dagger (™) I was watching in disbelief. I could feel my body floating out of my seat like Eugene Levy’s eyebrows in the Little Caesar’s crazy puff commercial. I said in the post I put up on Saturday that I believe the Eagles are on the cusp of league dominance. I think over the next few years the Eagles will be feared just as much as the team they just beat.
I woke up today with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. That game meant so much to the city and the people that live here. The passion and love the city has for this team and one another is undeniable and inspiring. That’s what makes sports great, it brings people together. February 9, 2025 will be a day Philadephians will never forget and a day Kansas City will wish they can.
Broad St awaits.
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